Method of and means for treating and/or dehydrating oil, gas, and water mixtures, such as flow from oil wells



y 25, 1943. J. P. WALKER 2,319,962

METHODS OF AND MEANS FOR TREATING AND/OR DEHYDRATING OIL, GAS, AND WATER MIXTURES SUCH AS FLOW FROM AN OIL WELL Filed June 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l V day Q Walker May 25, l943. J. P. WALKER 2,

METHODS OF AND MEANS FOR TREATING AND/OH DEHYDRATING OIL, GAS AND WATER MIXTURES SUCH AS FLOW FROM AN OIL WELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1940 llll day 5 Walker nouuoooa 1* E H 5 i E kkNH 8 5 \IV1 6 0o 0 7 0 Z .4 v 4 5 I 9 5 W. E 2 W ,v 2 .5 is a 21 m T t m. m W" 3 3 4 5 M 2 0/ L 3 fi fl 5 L .7J I 5 w" 3 FM 3 6 Z Z In m I 4 3 9 Ill 0 Z W .TY 0 5 5 Z a Z w 7 8 P. WALKER METHODS OF AND MEANS FOR TREATING AND/OR DEHYDRATING OIL,

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 25, 1943. J

GAS, AND WATER MIXTURES sucu AS FLOW FROM AN OIL WELL Filed June 24, 1940 Q Z 3 I 8 L 1 w a "M k L I lrLl |L R E o lW w jnvuc wiob ch37 -1 Wa/ker' a 6 Z5 4 5 Q 6 c 5 z 0 0 a 5 6 e6 6 5 e e 6 Z Z Z 5 m a. "m I I n I. a m 7 6 m G 5 a WALKER May 25, 1943.

J, P, 2,319,962 METHODS OF AND MEANS FOR TREATING AND/OR DEHYDRATING OIL, GAS, AND WATER MIXTURES SUCH AS FLOW FROM AN OIL WELL Filed June 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 5 4 4 7 WW3 V 4 i 6 A r fi 5 a 6m 5 m I z. 5 34. 5 m ,r 1 .II I u I 5 rr III? In I l: 5 a 6 w 5 5 W my .4 w W Z 3 w m H wL 9 u 7. 0 5 it: 5 w. 2 Q #4 'pipe 3| depends from the bottom of the shell 26 so that the separated liquids are discharged from said shell through the pipe.

A shield or deflector 32, having an inclined top,-

is mounted within the tank 20 just below the hopper bottom 28' of the shell 28 and, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, the drain pipe 3lwhich extends from the bottom of the shell passes through the inclined top of this shield or deflector. The shield 32 is provided with a depending skirt or apron 33 directed downwardly from the edge of its inclined top and spaced from the wall of the tank to form a passagaor channel 34. The shield has a two-fold purpose in that the influent liquids are caught on its inclined top and scrubbed during their downward flow to release gas, and stratifled liquids below the shield are protected against undue agitation.

A gas equdlizing pipe 34'.extends from the top of the shield to the upper end of the tank, said pipe terminating adJ acent the exterior of the shell 26 (Figure 2). The drain pipe 3| which depends from the lower end of the shell 23 passes through the top of the shield and telescopes the upper end of an overflow sleeve 35 of somewhat larger diameter. The sleeve is mounted for vertical adjustment on the upper end of a conductor or downpipe 35, which extends downwardly through the chamber 25. The conductor 36 is deflected or ofl'set so as to pass downwardly through the crowned head 23 oft-center of said head, .as is clearly shown in Figure 4.

As the influent enters'the chamber from the inlet pipe 29, the. gas separates from said influent while the liquid flows downwardly in the chamber 25. The gaseous fluids flowing upwardly w enter the shell or. gas chamber 26 through the louvers 28, wherein they are given an additional scrubbing to release entrained gas. The gas escapes by way of the pipe 21, while the liquids drain downwardly through the pipe 3|. The influent, after whirling around the tank, brings its liquid to the inclined top of the shield 32. The liquids flow down the shield through the passage 34 and pass beneath an inwardly directed flange 31 which is formed on the lower end of the apron 33 of said shield. When the influent liquids reach this point, much of the gas has been scrubbed out and the water and oil are ready for stratification.

The water and oil levels in the chamber 25 will define water, oil and gas spaces or zones therein. The gases rise upwardly within the tank and further gas is separated from the influent within the shell 25. The remaining liquids, with some gas in solution, flow downwardly within the separating chamber 25, where a major portion of the water is separated. The oil will tend to float and rise within the chamber while the water will settle or precipitate, whereby an oil and water zone is created. However, all of the water does not settle out in the chamber 25 and, thus, the liquids entering or overflowing into the pipe or conductor 36 comprise oil with, perhaps, some gas in solution, and some water admixed-therewith, which is an emulsion mixture requiring further treatment;

The influent may be preheated, if desired, and any suitable device may be used for the purpose. A preheater 40, similar to that shown and described in my Letters Patent No. 2,181,685, may

be employed. In this device, the oil, gas and 7 water mixture enters through an inlet pipe H at the bottom and flows upwardly through 'a plurality of tubes 42 to the top of the preheater. The inlet pipe 29 which discharges into the upper end of the tank 20 has its lower end connected to the top of the preheater, whereby the influent is conducted through the preheater and then into the tank. A hot oil discharge or outlet pipe 43 extends axially from the crowned heat 23 and, as will be explained, conducts the hot oil into the preheater 40. The hot oil flows downwardly through the preheater around the tubes 42 and.

escapes from the lower end thereof through a discharge pipe or outlet 44. The counter-flowing influent and oil undergo a heat exchange. whereby the influent isv preheated and the oil is cooled. A gas escape pipe 45 connects the oil space of the preheater 40 with the upper portion of the tank 20.

As explained, the influent liquids flow down wardly along the inclined top of the shield 32 and then downwardly through the passage 34'and beneath the inwardly directed flange 31 at the lower end of the apron or said shield. The oil stratifies above the water, as has been described, and the oil level under the shield may be regulated by vertically adjusting the sleeve 35.

For discharging the water from the primary or first stage separation, an upright overflow pipe 46 is mounted at one side of the chamber 25. The lower end of the pipe terminates adjacent the crowned head 23, while the upper portion extends through the top of the shield 32 and terminates near the top 24 of the tank. This pipe is divided into a water leg and a gas leg, a lateral 41 leading from the intersection of the two legs through the side of the tank. A downpipe 48 leads from the lateral to a watersyphon box 49 and includes a regulating valve 50.

A gas vent pipe 5| extends from the upper end of the box 49 through the wall of the tank and connects with a gas riser 52 within the chamber 25. The riser connects at its upper end with the gas leg of the pipe 46. A pipe 53 extends laterally from the lower end of the syphon box 49 and through the tank wall below the crowned head 23. The inner end of the pipe 53 is connected to a downwardly extending pipe 54, which extends tothe lower end of the tank, as will be hereinafter explained. The water syphon box M is located relatively opposite the head 23, outside of the tank and said box is provided with an upright overflow nipple 55, which nipple is conacross the tank, as is best shown in Figure 3. The nozzle 57 is usually placed a suitable distance above the bottom 22 to provide a water settling and collecting space therebelow, in which extraneous matter may also deposit. This nozzle possibly has longitudinal rows of perforations 52 on its upper side so as to discharge the liquid mixture upwardly in numerous small streams. The tank contains a body of water, usually salt water, up to a certain level which is maintained by the syphon pipe 54, which has its upper end connected through the pipe 53 with the water syphon box 49. The pipe 54 conducts water from the bottom of the tank and into the syphon box,

from where it overflows into the nipple 55 and then outwardly through the discharge pipe 55.

Any suitable washing or dehydrating means may be used in the tank and may be either wholly or partially immersed in the body of salt water for separating the water from the oil. I have illustrated a unit or separator similar to that shown in my Letters Patent No. 2,181,688, wherein the body of salt water is heated and the mixture discharged from the nozzle is bailied upwardly therethrough to extract and precipitate the water from the mixture,

In the drawings, inclined bailies Ell are shown above the nozzle 5? and a return-bend firebox Gil is mounted across the tank just above said baffles in alinement with the nozzle. The small upwardly flowing streams are directed by the baifies against the bottom or" the lower leg of the reboX and how upwardly on each side thereof, whereby they are heated. Similar inclined pa-fies E i overhang the firebox and keep the upwardly flowing streams in heating contact therewith. It is within the scope of this invention to heat the body of salt water by any suitable means or to supply heated salt water to the tank. Any suitable heating element may be introduced into the lower leg of the firebox.

The skirts of a vertical housing 32 extend on each side of thefirebox and nozzle, whereby vertical passages or ducts 63, open at their upper and lower ends, are formedwith the wall of the tank. Above the firebox, staggered upwardlyinclined cross baffies M are mounted in the housing it and may have their free ends serrated to divide upwardly flowing liquids into numerous small streams. Water draining openings 55 are provided in each side wall of the housing near the lower ends of the bodies M. As the heated mixture flows upwardly, the baffles will wash out the entrained water which is admixed with the oil and discharged from the nozzle till. The water which is washed out will tend to run down the upper sides of the baffles and drain through the openings 65 into the passages ti.

By the time the mixture reaches the top fit oi the housing, the entrained" water will be substantially washed out of the'oil and water mixture and the clean oil will rise and float upon the body of water. The water-which drains into the passages 63 flows downwardly and cools. finally admixing with the water in the bottom of the tank, whereby the water is recirculated as described in the aforesaid Letters Patent. The top of the housing is provided with perforations ti, whereby the oil may pass upwardly into the upper portion of the lower chamber of the tank and into contact with the crowned head 23. As explained, a discharge pipe M leads from the center of the crowned'head 23 out through the wall of the tanlr to the preheater W. The upper.

stratum of oil within the lower chamber of the tanl: contacts the relatively cool surface of the head iii and this creates a cooling zone. 'The cooling zone will cause the hot'o'il to be cooled, a

which will, with any, free gas, flow outwardly with the oil through the pipe 43. 'I'here'may be some condensing of gaseous products in the pipe di and, by increasing its diameter, considerable condensation might be obtained. The hot oil and gas discharge into the preheater and the gas escapes through the pipe 45 to the upper end of the chamber 25. It is pointed out that the provision oi the crowned head 23 is an important "feature of the invention since it provides the cooling-suriace'which may be contacted by the oil to release some of the gas in solution and also to condense gas which might contact said surface. 7

Briefly. in operation, the influent is brought through the inlet pipe 29, either direct from the well or other source, or'irom the preheater W. The infiuent is dicharged into the diverter box 39 in the tank Ell, whereby it iswhirled around the tank on the inner surface thereof. This circumierential action scrubs out a considerable amount, possibly the major portion, of the gas; some gas, however, will remain in solution. The liberated gas and gaseous fluids rise and enter the shell 25 through the inlets 28, wherein they are whirled and the liquids scrubbed out. These liquids drain downwardly through the pipe 3i and then into the conductor or dcwnpipe Eli.

' The liquids which have been separated from the gas within the chamber it how downwardly along the inclined top 32 of the shield and additional gas is liberated by a further scrubbing ac tion. The liquids then pass downwardly beneath the skirts of the shield and, manifestly, said shield protects these liquids against undue agitation by the incoming infiuent. As before described, the water, oil and gas stratify in the chamber 25 whereby a primary or preliminary separation of water is obtained. Preheating may be very helpful in some instances. The invention is not dependent upon the separation of gas in either the chamber 25 or the shell Eli, because the gas may be previously separated.

The gas which may be separated beneath the shield 32 may flow upwardly through the pipe till to the upper end of the tank. The water which is extracted in the chamber 2% flows upwardly 7 through the water leg of the upright overflow pipe it, then through the lateral ti and downwardly through the pipe id and into the water syphon box it. From the box, the-water overflows into' the discharge pipe at. Any gas which may be liberated within the Syphon box may pass upwardly through the gas leg iii and then escape upwardly into the upper end of the tank. The oil which is separated within the chamber 25, which may be an oil and water mixture, flows out through the pipe 38 and is conducted downwardly by said pipe to the nozzle fill.

At the nozzle, the oil and water mixture is discharged irom the perforations W and is loaded upwardly through the body of heated salt water to extract water from the influent. The upwardly flowing mixture is heated by contacting the lower leg 0! the firebox 6B and will then pass upwardly through and around the battles M, whereby substantially all of the remaining entrained water will be washed out. The hot oil will rise upwardly through the perforations Bl in the top 88 of the housing El and also, the gas will pass upwardly through these perforations with the hot oil.

The upper stratum oil oil contacts the relatively cool surface ofthe crowned head it, which tends to cool the oil. The oil and any free gas flow outwardly through the discharge pipe 43 which leads to the preheater Ill. Asis pointed out, there might be some condensation of gaseous products in the pipe 43 and, by increasing its diameter, considerable condensation can be obtained. The oil discharged into the preheater will, of course. flow downwardly therethrough and escape through the pipe it, while the gas rises upwardly in the preheater and is conducted therefrom through the gas release pipe 5. The water which is separated in the lower chamber of the tank 20 is discharged therefipm through the pipe 5|, lateral 53 and syphon box 49. It will be evident that, by the syphonic hook-up, water is discharged from the upper and lower chambers of the tank by way of the single discharge pipe 46. Since the nipple 55 is adjustable, predetermined liquid levels in the lower chamber of the tank may be maintained.

bends or curves therein. In this form, the

crowned head 23 provides a cooling surface and, in addition, the pipe 43a provides additional cooling, surface. In other words, the hot oil and gas are caused to take a circuitous or elongated path through the pipe 43a, whereby condensation'of the gaseous fluid during its passage through the pipe is increased.

Still another form of the invention is shown in Figure 11. In this form, the head 23 is formed with a sump 23b which is preferably formed integral with its central portion. It will be manifest that the provision of this sump increases the exposed surface of the head 23, whereby an increased cooling of the oil contacting this sur-' face is obtained. In this instance, the hot oil and gas discharge pipe 431) leads from the preheater to the head 23, being connected to said head-off center thereof. I In allthe forms of the invention, a cooling zone is created at the upper end of the lower chamber of the tank and this.

cooling zone facilitates condensation of the gaseous fluids contacting the same and also acts to cool the hot oil.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina well stream dehydrating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a separating chamber at theupper end of the tank having a bottom extending across the tank, means for admitting a well stream to the separating chamber a substantial distance above the bottom thereof, means for accumulating in said chamber and on said bottom a stratum of free water separated from the well stream, means for conducting oil from said chamber to the lower portion of said tank, means in the tank for heating and washing the conducted oil, a conductor for conveying the heated oil through the water stratum above the bottom of the separating chamber, whereby the heated oil is constantly maintained in intimate contact with the underside of the bottom of said chamber to cool said oil and condense gaseous components therein, and means for carrying off said dehydrated and cooled oil.

2. In a well stream dehydrating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a separating chamber at the upper end of the tank having a bottom extending across the tank, means for admitting a well stream to the separating chamber a substantial distance above the bottom thereof, means for ponents therein, and means for carrying offthe dehydrated oil through said stratum of initially separated free water to cool said oil and condense hydrocarbon components therein.

3. In a well stream dehydrating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a separating chamber at the upper end of the tank having a bottom extending across the tank, means for admitting a well stream to the separating chamber a substantial distance abovethe bottom thereof, means for accumulating in said chamber and on said bottom a stratum of liquid separated from the well stream, means for conducting oil from said chamber to the lower portion of said tank, means in the tank for heating and washing the conducted oil, means for maintaining the heated oil in intimate contact with the underside of the bottom of said chamber to cool said oil andcondense gaseous components therein, and a coiled conductor extending from saidbottom through the liquid stratum and out of the tank for conducting the oil in a segregated path through said stratum of liquid, whereby cooled.

4. In a well stream dehydrating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a separating chamber at the upper end of the tank having a bottom extending across the .tank, means for'admitting a well stream to the separating chamber, a substantial distance above the bottom thereof, means said oil is additionally for accumulating in said chamber and on said bottom a stratum of liquid separated from the well stream, means for conducting oil from said chamber to the lower portion of said tank, means in the tank for heating and washing the conducted oil, the bottom of the separating chamber having a well depending therefrom, and means connected with said bottom and extending thereabove for conducting the dehydrated oil out of the tank, whereby the hot oil is brought into heat exchange contact with 'the underside of said bottom and the well for cooling said oil and condensing gaseous fluids flowing therewith.

5. The step in the method of treating oil emulsion fluids wherein water and emulsified oil are primarily separated and a stratum of water is provided above a heated body of washing water on which a body of hot oil is collected in heat exchange relation with the stratum of water, which includes flowing the hot oil in a segregated path through'the water stratum to cool said oil and condense liqueflable fractions therein.

JAY P. WALKER. 

